NEW ORLEANS – Well, I think the All-Star break came at a bad time, huh?
The Cleveland Cavaliers hoped to pick up where they left off at the end of the first half of the season, entering the mid-season break with a lot of momentum and confidence after winning four of the last five games. They also expected a healthy jolt on Friday night, rescuing Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. from injury.
Instead, the Cavs opened the second half with a lethargic and rusty drug, being crushed by the furious New Orleans Pelicans, 116-82.
Coach JB Bickerstaff talked about building the base from late February to early March. The five games before the break showed who the Cavs could be. Healthy bodies should only make the image clearer. Quite the contrary, Friday night.
Without guard Darius Garland, who Bickerstaff called the team’s “unifier”, Cavs looked confused in attack, shooting just 34.1% of the field and 21.9% in the 3-point range. They had 13 assists in 30 shots – an unacceptable number for a group that had been talking about team play and ball movement for months.
“Our movement of the ball can be better, as we diversify our attack it can be better, as we include more people in the attack it can be better”, admitted Bickerstaff after the defeat. “We have big guys who are extremely talented game makers and passers and can make other people better. Therefore, we can involve them more as well. Too much rust and we have to get it out. Tomorrow we will go to Atlanta, we will practice, we will improve. And we will go out and fight on Sunday. “
Garland watched from the bench because of a left groin sprain he suffered on March 3. The Cavs are 3-6 without Garland this season. In the last 67 minutes, going back to when he limped off the ground in the first half of Cleveland, the team was defeated by 170-116.
That does not justify Friday’s performance. It is not the only reason for the sleepy display. But it highlights Garland’s importance on a team that didn’t have a nature reserve guard until Friday, when Quinn Cook, who signed a 10-day contract, landed in New Orleans at around 4 pm local to give Cleveland another ball player required . Cook poured on 13 points in 17 minutes.
As bad as the first half and a 69-48 hammering seemed, the third quarter was an even more terrifying horror show. Cleveland scored nine points, one for each day off for a week – plus that completely zapping his pace.
Surpassed by 24-9 during those terrible 12 minutes, the Cavs lost by 36 at one point, their biggest deficit until Pelicans increased one more touch at the beginning of the fourth period.
“It wasn’t very beautiful,” said Bickerstaff. “But we will learn from them all. I think the most important thing is that we continue to learn from what is good and what is bad, the ups and downs. It was obviously not the result or how we wanted to play, but it was necessary. We needed a game-like action against another opponent, an opponent who, frankly, had something to prove. “
Love played his first game since December 27 – an absence of 33 games caused by a severe calf strain. With a 10-minute restraint, Love finished with four points out of 1 out of 4 shots and 1 out of 3 beyond the arc to go with a rebound and two fouls. Nance had lost the previous 12 games after surgery on his fractured left hand. Playing with a black protective pad, Nance scored 11 points from 4 of 8 on the field and 2 of 4 from the depths in 28 minutes.
“These are two really good players who are going to help us, and we just need to put them on the ground, let them play a little, get some of the rust off,” said Bickerstaff of Love and Nance.
New Orleans, coming out of a 30-point embarrassment for Minnesota the night before, seemed motivated to erase those negative thoughts. Zion Williamson intimidated Cleveland’s weak defense, scoring 23 points in just 18 minutes. Brandon Ingram added 28 points, hitting 11 of 14 on the floor.
Nine days off. A practice. No shooting session on Friday due to the time of the COVID-19 test protocols New organs to reintegrate. Another new initial lineup. Without shipowner.
All of this created an unappetizing bowl of jambalaya in New Orleans.
Next
The Cavs will continue their three-game trip with a fight against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. The complaint is scheduled for 7:30 pm
–
New Cavs face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed facial covers for protection against coronavirus, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charities.
More Cavaliers coverage
Knights, past and present, say goodbye to Joe Tait and share your favorite memories
The latest stories from Joe Tait, voice of the Cavs and friend of so many – Pluto
Joe Tait, voice of the Cavs for two generations, dies at 83
Cavaliers, NBA reveal 2022 All-Star Game logos
All-Star game: Team LeBron wins Team Durant, 170-150
Joe Tait talks about life, death, basketball and a cat named Penelope – Pluto
Cavaliers must be active before the negotiation deadline; Will this lead to another business?
Wade living his dream with a guaranteed contract and a sense of belonging